​Oblivious Nerd Girl

Second screening was scrapped for Mario Kart 8 madness. For future screenings we'll probably only show one film and mayhaps have a video game tourney for anyone who wants to partake. Thanks for the fun times Hi-Fi Film Club! Props to bff Ivy-chan for being our inaugural Hi-Fi Film Club member! Save the date for the next screening June 28th!

Tagalog

Verb

Lately this word has been on my mind. I ran into my cousin-in-laws cousin (which in Filipino terms means he's my cousin too) at a LA Asian Pacific Film Fest screening and when we parted ways he said "Ingat" to me instead of goodbye.

I have heard the term before from other friends and thought that it was a pleasant way to sign off as a goodbye with folks. Recently I mentioned this to Strawberry Farm Boy Mike. I want to start using the phrase but haven't felt comfortable enough to do so due to my lack of Tagalog skills.

Like most Filipino Americans who were raised in the States in 1980s, I cannot speak a lick of Tagalog. My parents believed in the fallacy that learning a second language would set me back in school. Numerous studies have disproved that notion and now I am stuck being monolingual. When I was 12 I told my parents I wanted them to teach me Tagalog. I told them I wished there was Tagalog school like there was Thai school or Chinese school that some of my respective friends would attend on the weekends. Pops Oblivious reaction to this was to nonchalantly tell me "If you want to learn how to speak Tagalog, just speak Tagalog." Easier said then done.

Lord help me I tried. But when I would fumble through the words Pops would reply with "What did you say?!" And I would then get embarrassed. I would quickly respond "Nevermind" and say whatever I was trying to say in English.

This has left me in a place where I understand Tagalog, and to some extent Bisaya, but you will never find me speaking the languages. In the 90s I went through a phase of watching Filipino romantic dramadies. Like most girls, I thought Aga Mulach was so dreamy. I wished to be as pretty as Dawn Zulueta and to sing as amazingly as Lea Salonga. My parents didn't understand why I wanted to see these movies, but I got hooked. Moms Oblivious would ask me "Why do you want to watch these movies? I didn't even watch Filipino movies in the Philippines!"

Those words are so revealing. My parents grew up in a Philippines heavily influenced by American culture. Pops would rather watch John Wayne or Clint Eastwood classics, while Mom would rather watch West Side Story, Grease, and Love Story. They prefer Hollywood films over anything starring Dolphy, Eddie Garcia, Vilma Santos or Sharon Cuneta.

It's also a telling revelation on the static picture my parents have of the Philippines. Moms hasn't returned since 1980. Pops last was there in 1993. There vision of the Philippines is frozen with the snapshot of their last times there. When I brought up the word "ingat" to them and how I wanted to start using it. Pops' reaction could have been out of those Philippine dramas the I love. "WHY?!" I was quite surprised by his dramatic tone. "WHY would you want to do that?!" Confusingly I explained because I liked that it means "Take care."

Pops replied that the word also means "Be Careful." On one hand, it's simply a matter of interpretation. But on the other hand my parents' interpretation of "ingat" is a reflection of their frozen snapshot of a country plagued by martial law and their province constantly at war. Ingat to them is a warning, one not said with affection but with trepidation.

It's a warning that is tied to the memories of bombings that almost killed my parents while they were at the movie theater when my mom was pregnant with me. It's a warning that is tied to Pops immediate suspicion of those weaved backpacks because to him it's what members of the NPA used to hold their weapons. It's a warning that Pops ignored when he was stuck hiding in a ditch while he waited for the martial law mandated curfew to end because my Lola Inday had enough of his gallivanting and drinking one night and locked him out of the their house. Stories from my grandparents escaping Manila during world war 2 lead into my parents experiences with martial law and the civil unrest in Mindanao. My families experiences have covertly weaved reactions that reveal ptsd like symptoms. These conflicts have never faded from their psyche. Our family legacy of trauma continues to persist.

I obliviously find fancy in the beauty of a word from a language I have always longed to know, while my parents find anxiety in their mother tongue. I don't want them to feel that way. I certainly don't. But that is their experience and this is mine. Will I start using "ingat?" I can honestly say I'm not sure. But the conversations have revealed one thing war fucks everyone up.

Summer is almost here. Scratch that. For most of us living in LA, it's been here for the past two weeks. 100 degree days in May mean that Spring has skipped out on us. It's dreadfully hot. I have tried to go without using the AC in our house, but I broke down. As Strawberry Farm Boy Mike likes to say "WE LIVE IN AMURRRICA" which means we will use AC because that's what people in the first world do.

May has been a crazy month. The first two weeks of May were full of LA Asian Pacific Film Fest fun times. Lots of movies screened and hosted. And from that I was inspired to combine my love of movies with Mike's love of movies and our spacious backyard/driveway with some outdoor film screenings.

If you would like to join Hi-Fi House Summer Film Club 2014. Email ObliviousNerdgirl@gmail.com for the details. You get to hang out. Watch some classic movies. Enjoy some fun company. Share in some libations (spirits or non-alcoholic libations are welcome) and snacks (food is always welcome). There is even a shnazzy clip art inspired membership card that you can get for joining.

Last night I hosted my second screening for Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival. Jeepney is a documentary that shares the story of a popular mode of transportation in the Philippines. The documentary is beautifully shot and covers the artistry into crafting the Jeepneys as well as the political and social implications tied to the vehicle. Esy Casey, the films director, and Sarah Friedland, the films producer were on hand for a short q & a. It was great to hear their experiences making the film.

I'm glad I got to host this film since I am partial to the story. When Strawberry Farm Boy and I got married, the Pilipnio Workers Center Jeepney was our wedding ride. We opted for something different and the Jeepney seemed to fit our vintage vibe. PWC normally hosts Jeepney tours of Historic-Filipinotown. I believe the tours are on hold for now since the Jeepney is in need of some repairs. When they are up and running it's definitely a cool thing to do in the neighborhood!

If you missed the screening but want to check out the screening you are in luck! There will be an encore presentation of the film this Friday. Check it out!

Today marks the start of the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival! Being a part of the features committee again was fun. The films that are being screened are amazing and I can't recommend these films enough. I've written short tidbits on a few films that have the Oblivious Nerd Girl stamp of approval. Not that it means much. It's more like I totally dig them and totally recommend you see these films!

When I was in film school one of my professor's told us about LAAPFF. I thought it would be awesome to volunteer and check out the films. Back then I couldn't wrap my head around volunteering for this festival in LA and student life at UCI. I always told myself I would check it out "one day." I'm glad that 10 years later I get to make good on a promise to myself to check it out.

I will try to highlight more films while LAAPFF is going on. Definitely check it out if you are in LA and have the time!

Why these five words? Why see this movie?: There are certain people I read about that make me question where I am in life. Grace Lee Boggs is one of those people. She is a woman who continues to fight for social justice and is a constant inspiration.